Patent Application
20070289547
A detailed description of the preferred embodiments is provided herein below by way of example only and with reference to the following drawings, in which:
a in a perspective view, illustrates the animal sensitive barrier member of the controlling barrier of
b in a perspective view, illustrates the animal sensitive barrier member of the controlling barrier of
a and 6b in top plan views illustrate the controlling barrier of
a in a top plan view illustrates the controlling barrier of
b in a top plan view illustrates the controlling barrier of
In the drawings, preferred embodiments of the invention are illustrated by way of example. It is to be expressly understood that the description and drawings are only for the purpose of illustration and as an aid to understanding, and are not intended as a definition of the limits of the invention.
Referring to
Referring to
The biasing mechanism 26 includes an internal housing 34 positioned between the first and second supports means 22 and 30, so as to engage the first and second ends 20 and 28 of the frame 18. More specifically the first end 24 of the biasing mechanism 26 may further include a positioning member 25 that is adapted to receive a first end of the internal housing 34. The positioning member 25 may be mounted to the first support means 22. More specifically the internal housing 34 may be a hollow tubular structure.
Furthermore the internal housing 34 is adapted to receive a rod 36 so that the rod 36 is positioned between and mounted to the first end 20 and the second end 28 of the frame 18. The rod 36 therefore is secured into the first and second support means 22 and 28 respectively. The first and second support means 22 and 28 may include support arms 31 hingedly secured to the frame 18 by a pin 33 or similar attachment mechanism. The first and second support means 22 and 28 may also include end plates 35 secured to the support arms and which are adapted to receive a first and second end 37 and 39 respectively of the rod 36.
The biasing mechanism 26 is further includes as a biasing means 38 having a first end 40 adapted to engage the positioning member 25 and a second end 42. The biasing means 38 may be furthered define a coiled spring 41. The biasing means 38 provides constant tension on the animal sensitive barrier 16. Therefore even in the retracted position the biasing means 38 provides tension on the animal sensitive barrier 16.
An external housing 44 encases the biasing means 38, the internal housing 34 and the rod 36. The second end 42 of the biasing means 38 is adapted to engage the external housing 44. Furthermore the external housing 44 allows for the releasable engagement of a first end 46 of the animal sensitive barrier member 16. The external housing 44 allows for the animal sensitive barrier member 16 to be wrapped around the external housing 44 when in the retracted position.
The animal sensitive barrier member 16 may be further defined as a flexible, opaque fabric barrier 50 that has a first end 46 and a second end 48 that is washable. The fabric may be removed from the external housing 44 when the flexible fabric barrier 50 requires washing or a different colour of flexible fabric barrier 50 is desired. Specifically the flexible fabric barrier 50 may be changed so that the colour of the flexible fabric barrier 50 is sensitive to the animal being controlled or moved. The sensitivity may be chosen based on gender or species. For example market hogs respond to the colour red. As such, when a red, opaque flexible fabric barrier is utilized, the pigs respond in a more calm manner during the movement of the pigs from one point to another. Breeding sows or gilts however respond well to the colour blue, so a blue flexible fabric barrier 50 works better for that gender. Other colours may be used depending on the animal being moved.
Furthermore the flexible fabric barrier 50 can withstand washing up to 3000 psi, and is made from sanitary material that meets quality assurance standards and bio-security standards. Furthermore the flexible fabric barrier 50 is resistant to weather elements such as extreme cold, rain, and snow and elements that arise from various situations specific to use such as exposure to ammonia. The flexible fabric barrier 50 easily rolls onto the external housing 44 and can function with the biased retractable support assembly 14 up to sixty feet in length. The flexible fabric barrier 50 is also very lightweight, for example 3.63 ounces per linier yard which contributes to the overall lightweight feature of the portable, retractable controlling barrier 10.
The animal sensitive barrier member 16 may have a second end 48 adapted to engage a pull rod 50. The pull rod 50 engages the length of the animal sensitive barrier 16 therefore providing tension on the animal sensitive barrier member 16 equally from the top to the bottom of the animal sensitive barrier member 16. As noted above the animal sensitive barrier member 16 is constantly under tension. The pull rod 50 helps is maintaining that tension when the animal sensitive barrier member 16 is being extended. When in the retracted position, the pull rod 50 can rest against a stop 52 located on the frame 18. Even when resting against the stop 52 the pull rod 50 and the animal sensitive barrier 16 are under tension.
The first and second ends of the frame 20 and 28 respectively are hingedly mounted to the frame 18. Furthermore the frame 18 may act as a handle to easily carry the retractable controlling barrier 10 therefore making it portable. The frame 18 may be made from a light weight material such as aluminium by way of example only which contributes in the portability of the portable retracting controlling barrier 10. Furthermore the frame 18 may be rust resistant so that it can be used outside in various types of weather. The frame 18 may also include attachment loops 54 that are adapted to receive a securing member such as a drop rod 56 to securely attach the portable retractable controlling barrier 10 to a structure such as a barn wall, or transport vehicle by way of example only. As the portable retractable controlling barrier 10 is easy to move and mount on various structures, there is no need to adapt or change existing structures to accommodate the portable retractable controlling barrier 10.
In operation, the portable retractable controlling barrier 10 may be mounted to a structure and extended to selectively control and move animals. How this is achieved is explained here below with reference to
The use of a colour sensitive barrier for a particular animal being herded results in a more calm process as the animal responds well to the particular colour and moves away from the barrier. Therefore the animal may be corralled or moved more efficiently and more calmly as the animals are more organized and are not panicking in flight in all different directions. As the animal sensitive barrier 16 is easily positioned by the user, the user can quietly walk throughout the enclosure and corral the desired animals, while keeping the barrier between him/herself and the animals. Therefore the animals respond and move against and away from the animal sensitive barrier 16 which keeps them calm and quiet due to the appropriate colour being used.
a and 6b illustrate the corralling and movement of an entire pen of animals with just a single person operating the portable retractable controlling barrier 10.
The utilization of the portable retractable controlling barrier 10 not only requires a single user but does not require any other accessories such as a chase stick to move the animals. Furthermore the use of the portable retractable controlling barrier 10 is non-invasive and non abusive to the animals being controlled and meets the current standards for the humane treatment of animals. The use of the barrier also helps to reduce the stress on the animal during the normally stressful transfer of animals. It also reduces the stress on the user as the action of moving and corralling the animals is handled more quickly and with less error. Finally the use of the portable retractable controlling barrier saves time as it quickly limits the direction that the animal may move in allowing for efficient corralling of the animals by a single user.
Other variations and modifications of the invention are possible. All such modifications or variations are believed to be within the sphere and scope of the invention as defined by the claims appended hereto.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 60813350 | Jun 2006 | US |
